School Adjustment Counseling for Mental Health Counselors Certificate

Program Description

This post-master’s certificate is for licensed mental health counselors who desire the additional credential of licensed school adjustment counselor. The program provides the course work and field experience needed, without repeating course work they will already have taken for mental health.

The School Adjustment and Mental Health Counseling program trains mental health professionals to work within the school culture and in clinical settings serving the mental health needs of PreK-12 students and their families. The use of evidence-based counseling strategies when working with children and adolescents in school settings is emphasized.

Learning Outcomes

Students learn and apply the principles and best practices of counseling, including various psychotherapeutic techniques for work and individuals, couples, families and groups; group counseling; and consultation to organizations and communities. They study human development, dysfunctional behavior and mental illness. They learn to assess, diagnose and treat within the scope of the counselor’s practice, and become able to utilize community resources for referrals. They learn and apply strategies for prevention and treatment of substance abuse, domestic violence, the spectrum of mental illnesses; and learn to use psycho-educational techniques aimed at preventing such disorders. They become familiar with state regulations applicable to mental health practice and licensure.

Careers and Further Study

Students are prepared to meet the licensing standards of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. In addition, graduates may apply for the following credential:

School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor (all levels) Program approved by the Mass. Dept. of Elementary & Secondary Education as preparation for initial licensure

For more information, please contact Admissions at 1-800-829-4723.

Curriculum

School Adjustment Core Courses and Internship

18

Credits

Take CCP 561 or CCP 715.

Child & Adolescent Psychopathology

CCP 614  3 credit(s)

This course deals with the nature of normal and abnormal intellectual, social, and emotional development and learning in childhood and adolescence. Particular attention is given to ego-defensive, adaptive and socio-cultural aspects of behavior, health and wellness, and ways in which adaptive behavior becomes symptomatic. This course organizes disorders according to DSM IV. Web-based projects involving learning disorders, including emotional issues affecting student achievement and their treatments are investigated. Case studies provide experience in classifying, diagnosing and categorizing various mental and emotional disorders common to children and adolescents. Attention is focused on differential diagnosis, treatment planning and best practices in applied settings. Discussions focus on health and wellness, multicultural issues, plus variables related to resiliency and student learning. Topics in psychopharmacology related to knowledge of medical conditions, and medications related to physical disabilities and learning disorders is presented. Also, the effects of abuse, violence, ADD, childhood depression; theories of normal and abnormal behavior and development are examined. Current research that can assist the school counselor in developing a plan of action for referral and treatment that relates to personal, social, and academic functioning of students will be procured through the online library. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standards for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: b: Learn and be able to apply theories of normal and abnormal intellectual, social and emotional development. c: Learning disorders, including emotional issues affecting student achievement, and their treatment. h: Knowledge of medical conditions and medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standards for School Guidance Counseling: e. Theories of normal and abnormal intellectual, social, and emotional development. c. Psychology of learning.

School Adjustment Counseling/School Social Work

CCP 617  3 credit(s)

Offered in Fall and Summer only. This course explores the roles and functions of school adjustment counselors with students identified as having emotional, behavioral, and social problems. This course operates on the assumption that such students are best served using personal, systems, family and group counseling approaches, with strong emphasis on identifying, assessing and utilizing community and family resources. Techniques for working with families, school and community personnel are emphasized. Clinical school counseling and systems issues are explored as well as: consultation, harm prevention and reduction, and the evaluation and utilization of community resources. Assessments such as genograms, biopsychosocial assessments, functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans, will be taught as well as treatment planning and goal writing. The understanding of the diagnosis and treatment of learning, emotional and behavioral disorders, when to recommend an IEP, when a 504 is most appropriate, and when students do not qualify for services is emphasized. Knowledge of IEP/special education time lines is conveyed. The referral process for students and their families to obtain services and supports in the community is a focus of discussion, as well as advocating and facilitating relationships with community and government agencies. The course addresses a working knowledge of the juvenile justice system with regard to criminal justice, child protection, CHINS laws and regulations, as well as federal and state regulations addressing the legal rights of students and their families. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standards for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: c: Learning disorders, including emotional issues affecting student achievement, and their treatment. f: Techniques for communicating and working with families and school and community personnel. g: Knowledge of the criminal justice system with particular reference to the juvenile justice system and organizations. i: Federal and state regulations addressing the legal rights of students and families.

It is strongly recommended that students participate in a practicum/internship while enrolled in this course. This course is for those beginning work with “multi-problem” families, and for those with some experience who wish to adopt a systemic, strengths-focused model of counseling. Techniques for communicating and working with families in school and community settings are emphasized. Instructor and student generated case studies are supported by role-playing and outside readings. Students go step-by-step through assessment, contracting, and counseling processes. They learn how to evaluate resources and needs, how to identify and collaborate with outside helpers and agencies, and how to deal with conflicts between the needs of family members. Issues relating to family violence, substance abuse and the use of home visiting are also discussed. In addition to class participation and readings, two papers analyzing families and the counseling process are required. This course emphasizes approaches which honor the socioeconomic, linguistic and cultural differences which may affect families and relationship between the family and therapist. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standard for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: f: Techniques for communicating and working with families and school and community personnel.

Multicultural Counseling: Children and Adolescents in Context

CCP 715  3 credit(s)

Pre Practicum: 15 hours of directed field-based training required for DESE licensure. This course explores the counseling process with children and adolescents from two perspectives: first from the experiential world of the child or adolescent, and secondly, from an ecological/systems perspective, with strong emphasis on cultural strengths and concerns. Topics include: the world of the child in a multicultural society; exceptionality, techniques for communicating and working with diverse families, school and community personnel; play/activity techniques, multicultural group work. Also: assessment; diagnosis; gathering and communicating information; sensitivity to others; self awareness; culturally congruent educational programs; stereotyping; economic, social and political issues surrounding diversity; relevant state, municipal and school laws and regulations relating to ethnic, linguistic, racial, gender and religious diversity; interviewing; dealing with research; resources and referrals within schools and community; hazards and problems of normal and abnormal development; enhancing a positive school climate in a multicultural school setting. The course also addresses issues impacting learning, achievement, and diversity with a final presentation utilizing the online library and other online researched based sites. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standards for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: f: Techniques for communicating and working with families and school and community personnel. i: Federal and state laws and regulations addressing the legal rights of students and families. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standards for School Guidance Counseling: i. Federal, state, municipal, and school laws and regulations. j. Resources within the school system or the community for referral. m. Development of skills for consultation with parents, teachers, and administrators.

Internship Seminar and SAC Field Experience III

CCP 700  3 credit(s)

This course is restricted to students who have completed and received credit for their Independent Research Project (IRP). Exceptions require approval of the Dean of the School of Psychology and Counseling. Prerequisites: CCP 520 and CCP 641, (Enrollment limited to 10). This course focuses on students’ counseling practice which is conducted in the field from week-to-week during the course. A minimum of 200 hours of internship experience (225 hour minimum for SAC track students in school sites) are required under the supervision of a qualified supervisor (Massachusetts Regulations 262 CMR). (Supervisors of School Adjustment Counseling students in school sites must also have DESE licensure as a School Adjustment Counselor.) Goals for each student will be established with their College internship facilitator at the beginning of the experience. A self-assessment of these appropriate learning goals will be conducted by the student and their college internship facilitator throughout the term. Casework, note taking, diagnostic and treatment planning will be analyzed and explored in the classroom with a focus on enhancing students’ clinical skills in these areas, as well as a review of the principles of therapeutic relationships, developing techniques for communicating with and working with families, agencies/systems, and school and community personnel, and the use of supervision. The diagnosis and treatment of learning and behavioral disorders, when to recommend an educational evaluation, an IEP or a 504 will also be discussed. SAC Interns will learn to develop plans for the prevention, treatment and referral of students engaged in legal or illegal substances, school violence, school crises and other situations. This course may be combined with CCP 701. The internship must conform to Massachusetts Regulations 262 CMR. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. For SAC students in school sites: Onsite training supervised by a state-approved licensed/certified school adjustment counselor who also has clinical licensure as an LMHC, LICSW, LMFT, clinical psychologist or psychiatrist is required. SAC students in school sites Students pass MTEL Communication and Literacy before entry. The fieldwork experiences in this course address the following Massachusetts State Standards for School Adjustment Counselors: 3: A practicum of 900 hours, 450 of which must be working with children, adolescents, and families in an educational setting. (Cambridge requires practicum fieldwork of 100 contact hours and internship fieldwork of 600 contact hours). (Cambridge College recommends that students in the SAC track have 225 site hours for each of the four field experiences.) 4: A passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test. Standard a: Principles of therapeutic relationships. c: Learning disorders, including emotional issues affecting student achievement, and their treatment. d: Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students. f: Techniques for communicating and working with families and school and community personnel.

Advanced Internship Seminar/ SAC Field Experience IV

CCP 701  3 credit(s)

This course is restricted to students who have completed and received credit for their Independent Research Project (IRP). Prerequisites: CCP 520, CCP 641 and CCP 700; (Enrollment limited to 10). The course focuses on students’ counseling practice which is conducted in the field from week-to-week during the course. A minimum of 200 hours of internship experience (225 hour minimum for SAC program students in school sites) are required under the supervision of a qualified supervisor (Massachusetts Regulations 262 CMR). Supervisors of School Adjustment Counseling students in school sites must also have DESE licensure as a School Adjustment Counselor. Goals for each student will be established with their College internship facilitator at the beginning of the experience. A self-assessment of these appropriate learning goals will be conducted by the student and their college internship facilitator throughout the term. Casework, note taking diagnostic and treatment planning will be analyzed and explored in the classroom with a focus on enhancing students’ clinical skills in these areas; as well as a review the principles of therapeutic relationships, developing techniques for communicating with and working with families, agencies/systems, and school and community personnel; and the use of supervision. The diagnosis and treatment of learning and behavioral disorders, when to recommend an educational evaluation, an IEP or a 504 will also be discussed. SAC Interns will learn to develop plans for the prevention, treatment and referral of students engaged in legal or illegal substances, school violence, school crises and other situations. The completion of a portfolio demonstrating student’s advancement through their program of study is required in this course. This course may be cross listed with CCP 700. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. For SAC students in school sites: Onsite training supervised by a state-approved licensed/certified school adjustment counselor who also has clinical licensure as an LMHC, LICSW, LMFT, clinical psychologist or psychiatrist is required. SAC students in school sites Students pass MTEL Communication and Literacy before entry. The fieldwork experiences in this course address the following Massachusetts State Standards for School Adjustment Counselors: 3: A practicum of 900 hours, 450 of which must be working with children, adolescents, and families in an educational setting. (Cambridge requires practicum fieldwork of 100 contact hours and internship fieldwork of 600 contact hours). (Cambridge College recommends that students in the SAC track have 225 site hours for each of the four field experiences.) 4: A passing score on the Communication and Literacy Skills test. Standard a: Principles of therapeutic relationships. c: Learning disorders, including emotional issues affecting student achievement, and their treatment. d: Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students. f: Techniques for communicating and working with families and school and community personnel.

Psychological Testing

CCP 636  3 credit(s)

This course provides an overview of psychological testing including a review of projective testing and techniques for individual and group administration for understanding personality development and pathology, basic administration, scoring and diagnostic skill development. This course reviews instruments including TAT, MMPI and Roschach as well as language and alternative non-language based intelligence tests, achievement tests including the WISC-IV, the Woodcock-Johnson III, tests of nonverbal intelligence, and other state-of-the-art diagnostic tools. Emphasis is on clinical integration of the testing materials, useful intervention strategies and recommendations for the counselor, treatment team and/or referral agent. Test reliability, validity, standard deviations, scaled scores, percentiles and interpretation of significant differences are taught.

Prevention or Special Treatment Electives

3

Credits

Choose two courses.

Family Treatment of Substance Abuse

CCP 606  3 credit(s)

This course bridges the gap between substance abuse counseling and family therapy. It examines the specific interactional patterns that help to maintain addictive behavior within the family. Case examples illustrate how to intervene in addictive families. The following topics are covered: a systemic perspective on addictive behavior; assessing substance abuse and setting treatment goals; the over-responsibility/under-responsibility dynamic in families; the Family Intervention Model; treatment needs of young children and adult children of addictive families; and facilitating family adjustment to sobriety. Course requirements include class attendance, reading, participation in experiential exercises and role play. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standard for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: d: Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students.

Addiction Disorders

CCP 640  3 credit(s)

Designed for beginning and intermediate clinicians, this course provides a thorough foundation in substance abuse treatment. The prevention and treatment of substance abuse in people of all ages will be explored, as well as the relationship between substance use, violence, and physical and sexual abuse. Topics include: theories of etiology of addiction; pharmacology of psycho-active drugs; cultural factors that influence substance use; assessment and intervention with substance abusers and their families. Emphasis is put on diagnosis, treatment planning and referral to appropriate resources including self-help groups. Students will have the opportunity to participate in simulated interviews and experiential exercises. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standard for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: Standard d: Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students.

Post Traumatic Stress Reactions

CCP 724  3 credit(s)

This course focuses on theory, research and practice of trauma by addressing systemic and cultural aspects of diagnostic, assessment and trauma treatment; This includes acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and complex PTSD, as well as dual diagnoses. Immediate and long-term effects of trauma on various populations will be explored: trauma in adults, children and families; sexual and physical abuse survivors; victims of crimes, large scale disasters, war; workplace violence and complicated grief. Other topics include trauma resilience, natural courses of coping; trans-generational aspects of traumatization and lifespan perspectives on trauma. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standard for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: d: Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students.

Trauma Interventions in Schools

CCP 729  3 credit(s)

This course is taught in the spring term only. Trauma, chronic fear and stress impact children’s neurobiological development which affects critical brain functions (memory, language, problem-solving, higher order thinking, and executive function skills). The support a child/adolescent receives from those around them and the communities they inhabit heavily influences the trauma response and forward growth. Schools are children’s communities. This course will explore the impact of trauma on the child/adolescent’s neurobiological development, relationships, behavior, learning and academic performance. Trauma sensitive approaches in schools are described, including prevention and treatment of physical, sexual and substance abuse, as well as clinical interventions related to stabilization and the development of coping and social skills. School and system-wide crisis prevention, intervention and postvention planning and implementation will also be reviewed. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standard for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: d: Prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, and violence in PreK-12 students.

Psychopharmacology in Addictions and Mental Health Counseling.

CCP 720  3 credit(s)

The use of medications in the treatment of alcohol and drug dependence and their co-occurring disorders has historically been controversial. Newer medications with less potential for addiction are increasingly being used, including agonist and antagonist drugs designed to have a direct impact on the neurochemistry of addiction. Finding the balance between treating dependence and co-occurring depression, anxiety, trauma and other disorders poses a special challenge, and it appears that addressing these issues concurrently shows the most success. This course will review current clinical models of intervention and differential diagnosis. A brief review of relevant neuroanatomy and neurophysiology will set the stage for an examination of major psychotropic medications, including antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety medications, as well as newer medications for addictions treatment. This course will be grounded in clinical material and frequent presentation of case material. Requirements will minimally include one topical presentation. Responsibility will be shared for presenting material throughout the class. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction.

Psychopharmacology

CCP 725  3 credit(s)

Because psychopharmacology treatment depends on diagnosis, this course will review the medical model’s analytical mode, differential diagnosis. A brief review of relevant neuroanatomy and neurophysiology will then set the stage for an examination of the major psychotropic medications; antipsychotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers and anti-anxiety agents. Medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders will also be discussed. The course will be grounded throughout in clinical material, and case histories will be discussed during each class. Requirements will include one topical presentation. We will also share responsibility for presenting cases. Includes the fundamental occupational tasks of assessment, case presentation, case collaboration, team membership and client interaction. This course addresses the following Massachusetts State Standard for School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker: h: Knowledge of medical conditions and medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders.

Program Requirements

Applicants must:

have completed current Cambridge College 62-credit M.Ed. in mental health counseling or equivalent program. Students who took an earlier version of this program, or who earned their M.Ed. at another college, may need to take additional course work to meet LMHC and SAC academic requirements.

interview with and gain approval from the School Adjustment chair.

General Requirements

State Requirements

College students are required to comply with state laws regarding individual health insurance and immunization. Compliance requirements currently exist for students in Massachusetts, Virginia and Tennessee. Learn more

International Students – Additional Requirements

International Students will need to complete supplemental documentation when applying. International transcripts must also be translated prior to submission in order to be evaluated for applicability. Learn more about international student requirements.

Transfer Credit Request Form

Only needed if you wish to have prior course work evaluated for transfer credit. Learn more about transferring credits.

Note: Rates are as of September 2013, and are subject to change without notice. Rates apply to all students, unless otherwise noted.

Financial Aid

Cambridge College offers financial aid to students in our degree programs who are enrolled at least half time. Undergraduate students must be enrolled in at least 6 credits each term. Graduate and doctoral students must be enrolled in at least 4 credits each term. Learn more

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Cambridge College welcomes the opportunity to support your efforts to pay for college. Federal, state and local resources in the form of grants, scholarships, loans and work-study, including Cambridge College Scholarships, are available to help defray the cost of tuition. Learn more

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